Re: Quarter Final Aftermath : Mon May 28, 2012 2:29 pm  

Northampton_Saint wrote:

Based on player ability/talent and not current form (which is all you'll be using to judge on naturally but which would be criminally unfair given our respective current coaching situations):

1. Tompkins
2. Richards*
3. Wheeler
4. Carmont*
5. Meli
6. Finch
7. Lomax (not a #7 but would need to be in my team somewhere and Finch would make him 10x more effective there)
8. La Frank
9. Roby
10. TP
11. Soliola
12. Hock
13. O'Loughlin
14. Mossop
15. Clough **
16. Wilkin
17. Hohaia ***

* Both look past their best, especially Richards, so you can have Charnley and Goulding instead if you want. Shenton should probably feature ahead of Goulding on the talent/ability scale, but has been so disappointing for Saints so far that I just can't justify it.

** Clough has admittedly been **** for 2 years but I'm still hopeful he'll reignite with a decent coach.

*** OK, OK I'm joking... Leuluai

I make that a 9-8 Saints win (10-7 if you still hold out any hope of Shenton coming good, 11-6 in the ever increasingly unlikely event that Perry isn't washed up now), no 3 or 4 man holding down and ground-writhing required.

And no McIlorum instead of Roby

After yet again being completely outplayed, for the 3rd time this season, do you still believe this nonsense or are you going to remain an ostrich. Saints 1-17 were completely dominated yesterday by their opposite numbers and quite frankly some of the mismatches were embarrassing. Saints were as poor as I can remember, even looking clueless when 12 v 11 when it would have been quite possible to come back, and the Saints team needs a major overhaul in my opinion. The pack may do ok with a couple of additions but 1-7 is appalling.

Re: Quarter Final Aftermath : Mon May 28, 2012 2:44 pm  

Tomkins
Charnley
Goulding
Carmont
Richards
Finch
Leuluai
Mossop
Roby
Puletua
Hock
Soliola
O'Loughlin

Bench

McIlorum
Wilkin
Lima
Prescott

I make that Wigan 13-4 Saints. Thats a honest assesment without bias.

Re: Quarter Final Aftermath : Mon May 28, 2012 2:46 pm  

Famous wrote:

After yet again being completely outplayed, for the 3rd time this season, do you still believe this nonsense or are you going to remain an ostrich. Saints 1-17 were completely dominated yesterday by their opposite numbers and quite frankly some of the mismatches were embarrassing. Saints were as poor as I can remember, even looking clueless when 12 v 11 when it would have been quite possible to come back, and the Saints team needs a major overhaul in my opinion. The pack may do ok with a couple of additions but 1-7 is appalling.

Form is temporary, class is permanent, you obsessed nurk. Give our squad the kind of organisation, tactics and coaching your lot have had the last few years and we'd stomp holes all over you. Deal with it.

Re: Quarter Final Aftermath : Mon May 28, 2012 2:51 pm  

Northampton_Saint wrote:

Form is temporary, class is permanent, you obsessed nurk. Give our squad the kind of organisation, tactics and coaching your lot have had the last few years and we'd stomp holes all over you. Deal with it.

You have to admit this year against Wigan we have been completley outplayed 2 out of the 3 games which is a serious worrying sign. Wigan are without doubt this year the team to beat. I do agree with you on your point that next year there will be a serious improvement on organisation under NB. We will come good on that I am convinced.

Re: Quarter Final Aftermath : Mon May 28, 2012 4:06 pm  

on_the_charge wrote:

Tomkins
Charnley
Goulding
Carmont
Richards
Finch
Leuluai
Mossop
Roby
Puletua
Hock
Soliola
O'Loughlin

Bench

McIlorum
Wilkin
Lima
Prescott

I make that Wigan 13-4 Saints. Thats a honest assesment without bias.

A much better, more balanced assessement. I have never rated Wilkin though and think that he is a very average player, not really big enough for the forwards and slow. I think he has stole a living for years playing in very good Saints teams but is being found out now when not surrounded by quality players.

Re: Quarter Final Aftermath : Mon May 28, 2012 5:27 pm  

on_the_charge wrote:

Tomkins
Charnley
Goulding
Carmont
Richards
Finch
Leuluai
Mossop
Roby
Puletua
Hock
Soliola
O'Loughlin

Bench

McIlorum
Wilkin
Lima
Prescott

I make that Wigan 13-4 Saints. Thats a honest assesment without bias.

Can't really argue with that, although IMO Richards is past his best now and I'd probably stick Makinson there instead.
Seems a shame to leave Lomax out completely but I can't really see where he'd fit in.

Re: Quarter Final Aftermath : Mon May 28, 2012 6:39 pm  

I'd pick Lomax over Leuluai.

Ask a Wigan fan for his top moment in Wigan colours and 90% (I'm giving some the benefit of the doubt here, of the ones I've actually asked it's 100%) of them will start talking about a tackle. I'd like my scrum half to be talked about for his attacking play, not his defence.

Re: Quarter Final Aftermath : Mon May 28, 2012 6:43 pm  

Billinge_Lump wrote:

I'd pick Lomax over Leuluai.

Ask a Wigan fan for his top moment in Wigan colours and 90% (I'm giving some the benefit of the doubt here, of the ones I've actually asked it's 100%) of them will start talking about a tackle. I'd like my scrum half to be talked about for his attacking play, not his defence.

Actually for me it was his fantastic man of the match performance in the 2010 Grand Final when we beat St Helens. He was absolutely outstanding and a vital part of our win.

Re: Quarter Final Aftermath : Mon May 28, 2012 6:46 pm  

Famous wrote:

Actually for me it was his fantastic man of the match performance in the 2010 Grand Final when we beat St Helens. He was absolutely outstanding and a vital part of our win.

For all that your fans and the world and his wife have blathered on about Tomkins - to the point of nausea in the fans of all other teams during one season - I have always been of the view that Tommy L is your best player and he always, ALWAYS ups his game against us. He was murder for us long before Tomkins joined your ranks and, because he always behaves like a consumate professional (unlike Tomkins), I really do respect him. I would love to have had him in our team.

Re: Quarter Final Aftermath : Mon May 28, 2012 6:48 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

For all that your fans and the world and his wife have blathered on about Tomkins - to the point of nausea in the fans of all other teams during one season - I have always been of the view that Tommy L is your best player and he always, ALWAYS ups his game against us. He was murder for us long before Tomkins joined your ranks and, because he always behaves like a consumate professional (unlike Tomkins), I really do respect him. I would love to have had him in our team.

I'd rather have Tomkins myself.